System and method for measuring, monitoring and controlling washroom dispensers and products
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
- a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product;
a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting information about the product, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying a dispensing parameter of said dispenser;
a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit; and
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit;
wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication so as to vary the dispensing parameter of said dispenser.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus may include a dispenser sensor unit in communication with a dispenser that is configured for the dispensing of product. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for detecting information about the product and for varying a dispensing parameter of the dispenser. A data communications unit in communication with the dispenser sensor unit may also be provided and may be configured for receiving information from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoring station in communication with the data communications unit may also be present and may be configured for receiving information from the data communications unit. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for receiving a communication so as to vary a dispensing parameter of the dispenser.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product;
a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting information about the product, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying a dispensing parameter of said dispenser;
a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit; and
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit;
wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication so as to vary the dispensing parameter of said dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for conveying information in a washroom, comprising:
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a display configured for conveying information;
a data communications unit in communication with said display; and
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for communicating with said display through said data communications unit to modify information conveyed by said display. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. An apparatus for monitoring the presence of water in a washroom, comprising:
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an overflow sensor configured for detecting the presence of water;
a data communications unit in wireless communication with said overflow sensor; and
a washroom monitoring station in wireless communication with said data communications unit and in communication with said overflow sensor through said data communications unit, wherein said washroom monitoring station is configured for indicating the presence of water when detected by said overflow sensor. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A dispenser for dispensing product, comprising:
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a dispenser housing configured for holding product;
a lever pivotally mounted to said dispenser housing and configured for engaging the product, said lever configured for pivoting to a low product position upon reduction of the amount of product brought about by dispensing of the of product; and
a switch configured for engagement with said lever when said lever is pivoted to the low product position, said switch configured for generating a low product signal when said lever is pivoted to the low product position. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An apparatus for the dispensing of soap, comprising:
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a soap dispenser configured for the dispensing of soap;
a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting the amount of soap in said dispenser, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying the shot size of said dispenser;
a data communications unit in wireless communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit that includes at least the amount of soap remaining in said dispenser; and
a washroom monitoring station in wireless communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit that includes at least the amount of soap remaining in said dispenser, and wherein said washroom monitoring station is configured for communicating with said dispenser sensor unit through said data communications unit to vary the shot size of said dispenser.
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41. A dispenser for dispensing product, comprising:
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a dispenser housing configured for holding product;
a dispenser sensor unit configured for detecting the amount of product in said dispenser; and
a washroom monitoring station in wireless communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information regarding the amount of product in said dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. An apparatus for dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser housing configured for holding product;
a dispenser sensor unit having an emitter configured for emitting infrared light; and
a detector configured for receiving infrared light from said dispenser sensor unit so as to indicate that the product is not present in the path of the infrared light. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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47. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product;
a dispenser sensor unit configured for detecting a product low condition;
a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit;
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit, wherein said washroom monitoring station checks an inventory of the product when the product low condition is detected and reorders the product if sufficient product is not present in the inventory. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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51. An apparatus for monitoring a washroom, comprising;
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a camera configured for viewing the floor of a washroom;
a data communications unit in communication with said camera;
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit, wherein said washroom monitoring station is configured for indicating the presence of an object on the floor of the washroom. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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Specification